I am writing regarding the horrendous conditions in front of certain stores on Broadway (and side streets). Many days after the storm, sidewalks in front of these stores are still not cleared and no salt or sand has been placed on the walks to make them safer to navigate.

Merchants want our business but are not doing their part to help us get to their establishments. Granted, some of the icy walks are in front of empty store fronts or lots but that is no excuse. Vacant or not, the owner is still ultimately responsible for maintaining the property in front of his or her building.

Doesn't anyone in city hall monitor this situation and take corrective action as deemed necessary? Are the building owners being fined for not removing snow in a timely manner? My suggestion to the mayor is to use Public Works employees to clear these walks after a reasonable amount of time has passed and invoice the owner for the work in addition to a fine.

A very easy way to monitor who is and who isn't clearing their sidewalks is to use Parking Authority employees who patrol Broadway routinely as part of their jobs to note which sidewalks have not been cleared in a timely manner and report same to the appropriate agency.